Holiday comes to crashing end

A FORMER Coast businesswoman enjoying a holiday back home had a lucky escape when a tree crashed down just metres from her.

Kim Edwards was returning from Maroochydore Beach yesterday morning when the large tree came down across the footpath and landed on a parked car.

"I was just walking back along the beach access when I hard this huge crack and it fell down in front of me," she said. "It gave me quite a fright. It's not something you expect to happen on your way home from the beach."

Although there was little wind at the time, Ms Edwards said it appeared the tree had been weakened by recent winds.

The former owner of the Sea English Academy in Maroochydore has spent the past four years as principal of a women's college in Saudi Arabia.

She is nearing the end of a two-week break with family and friends on the Coast and will return to the Middle East on Sunday.

"It's my first Christmas at home in four years and it's been fabulous," Ms Edwards said.